Source.Python forums

Posted: **Sun Apr 22, 2018 8:30 am**

Hello,

i was trying to make my laser effect fading.

This is my current code without fading:

hitEffect = TempEntity('BeamPoints', alpha=player.beamOpacity, red=player.beamColor[0], green=player.beamColor[1], blue=player.beamColor[2], life_time=3, fade_length=1, start_width=5, end_width=5, frame_rate=200, start_point=playerOrigin, end_point=shootDirection, model=laser_model, amplitude=1, flags=0, speed=1, halo=laser_model, start_frame=0)
    hitEffect.create()

The only solution i came up with was destroying the effect, recreating it in a while loop and setting the opacity value to a lower or higher number in the loop.

Do you have any other idea how to accomplish it?
I tried to set the alpha value in a while loop aswell but the entity didn't "update" the opacity.

Cheers!

Posted: **Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:09 pm**

You can't change temporary entities once they are sent. The server will send the entity information to the clients and forgets everything about it.

You can play around with "fade_length", but I think that only affects the start and end points of the beam. A loop should actually work. However, you might also be able to create your own animated material.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2018 11:25 am**

Okay, did it with an animted texture.
The Problem is that something (Client or Server) is caching the TempEntity making it impossible to start from frame 0 every time so the animation "fades it out".

Vid of what i mean:
https://gyazo.com/41a2b130a81147249af50a67060dcd65

Syntax: Select all

hitEffect = TempEntity('BeamPoints',
          alpha=player.beamOpacity,
          red=player.beamColor[0],
          green=player.beamColor[1],
          blue=player.beamColor[2],
          life_time=2,
          fade_length=1,
          start_width=2,
          end_width=2,
          frame_rate=30,
          start_point=playerOrigin,
          end_point=shootDirection,
          model=laser_model,
          amplitude=0,
          flags=0,
          speed=1,
          halo=laser_model,
          start_frame=0
          )
    hitEffect.create()

I See theres not only BEAMPOINTS, theres a SPRITE Temp Entity aswell.
Do you think that would fix my prob.?
Edit: SPRITE Temp Entity has no start_point, end_point.

Cheers,
CANi

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:28 pm**

To me it looks like the beam duration takes longer than the animation duration. So, after the animation finished, it's restarted.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2018 3:32 pm**

Nope,
animation is 2 seconds at 30 fps, TempEntity lifetime is 2 seconds as well.

Posted: **Tue Apr 24, 2018 4:16 pm**

I would still try to reduce the beam duration. Just to test it.

Posted: **Thu May 03, 2018 3:49 pm**

Would you be able to post how you determined the vector they were aiming at?

edit: nevermind found it right after posting http://wiki.sourcepython.com/developing ... view_angle

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